On New Year's Day this year, a very close friend of mine, Amanda, lost her lovely Mum Eileen to Motor Neurone Disease. This extremely cruel disease stripped away her health, mobility and independence, before finally taking her life from her.

Eileen was diagnosed in October 2019 and passed away January 2022 at the age of 63. That's just 2 years and 3 months from diagnosis.

Eileen was always on the go and would do anything for her friends and family. She was well known by many people in her local community of Moreton. She was a lover of shopping and finding a bargain. She brought up 3 daughters and loved caring for her 2 granddaughters. She loved the sunshine and when on holiday she would sunbathe all day long! She also loved reading and especially murder mysteries! 

There is no cure for Motor Neurone Disease. It is a death sentence. From diagnosis most people are expected to live around 3 years and those 3 years are not pleasant. "Motor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurological disease. It attacks the nerves that control movement (motor neurones) so that muscles no longer work. Motor neurones control important muscle activity such as gripping, walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing."

Although some people in very rare cases do survive longer (the most famous example being Stephen Hawking) this is the exception to the rule.

Watching my friend lose her Mum to MND has made me realise how cruel this disease truly is to those who suffer with it and their loved ones. Research is ongoing to desperately find a cure but more funding is needed to continue. 

On 15th May 2022 I will be running a Half Marathon to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association. The MND Association is a charity focused on improving access to care, research and campaigning for people affected by motor neurone disease.

If you have anything to spare even if it's £1 please donate on the link below. 

I hope that one day this disease will be curable. For people like Amanda and Eileen who should not have had to say goodbye so soon.